This guide explores the process of establishing a programmatic Node.js-based transactional email delivery system using Sendgrid’s transactional email API, shedding light on potential challenges and offering insights into optimizing this crucial aspect of communication. 

Prerequisites

Before delving into the hands-on tutorial, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:

1. General familiarity with JavaScript and Node.js.
2. Understanding of the async/await syntax in JavaScript.
3. Proficiency in using the node command in the command line.
4. Awareness of Express.js functionality and how middlewares operate in Express.js.

Now, let's proceed with setting up SendGrid for email sending. Let's dive in.

How to Send Emails with Nodejs and SendGrid API?

To send transactional emails using SendGrid Node.js, the initial step is to register for a free SendGrid account. Follow their step-by-step email API integration guide outlined below.

Register and Generate an API Key on SendGrid

1. Begin by registering for a free account using a valid email address and a password (minimum 16 characters).
2. After registration and email verification, create a Single Sender by clicking the designated button.
3. In the sender creation form, provide the necessary details (avoid using a generic email like Gmail).
4. Click the Start button under "Integrate using our Web API or SMTP relay."
5. Opt for the Web API option and select Node.js as your integration method.
6. Generate the API key (e.g., named 'first-key'). Copy and securely store the API key for future use.
7. At the end of the form, check the box indicating integration and click "Next: Verify Integration."

Setting Up a Node.js Script to Send Emails with SendGrid

To initiate a new Node.js application using npm, execute the following commands:

  
   npm init -y
        
    

The `-y` flag will set default values. Next, set the API key created in the `sendgrid.env` file, and ensure it's added to `.gitignore`:

  
   echo "export SENDGRID_API_KEY='YOUR_API_KEY'" > sendgrid.env && echo "sendgrid.env" >> .gitignore && source ./sendgrid.env
        
    

Ensure to replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the generated API key from the previous step. Afterward, install the `@sendgrid/mail` npm package:

  
   npm i --save @sendgrid/mail
        
    

This command adds the latest version of the package to `package.json` and installs it locally in the `node_modules` folder.

Now, let's write code to test sending emails with SendGrid:

  
    const sendGridMail = require('@sendgrid/mail');
    sendGridMail.setApiKey(process.env.SENDGRID_API_KEY);

    function getMessage() {
      const body = 'This is a test email using SendGrid from Node.js';
      return {
        to: 'you@domain.com',
        from: 'verifiedemail@previousstep.com',
        subject: 'Test email with Node.js and SendGrid',
        text: body,
        html: `${body}`,
      };
    }

    async function sendEmail() {
      try {
        await sendGridMail.send(getMessage());
        console.log('Test email sent successfully');
      } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error sending test email');
        console.error(error);
        if (error.response) {
          console.error(error.response.body)
        }
      }
    }

    (async () => {
      console.log('Sending test email');
      await sendEmail();
    })();
        
    

This code includes the `@sendgrid/mail` package, sets the API key, defines a function to create an email message, and another to send the email using the `send` method. The script is an ES8 async IIFE.

After running this script with `node send-test-email.js`, you should receive a test email in your inbox.

Creating an Order Confirmation Email API

For a practical example, let's transform the script into an API using Express.js. Install Express.js:

  
    npm i --save express
        
    

Create two files: `index.js` for the web server and `email.js` for the email service. Here's the `index.js`:

  
    const express = require('express');
    const email = require('./email');

    const app = express();
    const port = 3000 || process.env.PORT;

    app.use(express.json());
    app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: false }));

    app.get('/', (req, res) => {
      res.json({ message: 'alive' });
    });

    app.post('/api/email/order-confirmation', async (req, res, next) => {
      try {
        res.json(await email.sendOrderConfirmation(req.body));
      } catch (err) {
        next(err);
      }
    });

    app.use((err, req, res, next) => {
      const statusCode = err.statusCode || 500;
      console.error(err.message, err.stack);
      res.status(statusCode).json({ 'message': err.message });
      return;
    });

    app.listen(port, () => {
      console.log(`Example API listening at http://localhost:${port}`);
    });
        
    

This Express server sets up a route for a simple "alive" message at the root and an API endpoint for sending order confirmation emails. The error handling middleware is also included.

Now, let's examine the structure of our email.js file. I utilized the Stripo.email free plan to create a mock order confirmation email, incorporating their provided template. Below is our email.js file, which assembles the email and dispatches it through SendGrid:

  
    const sendGridMail = require('@sendgrid/mail');
    sendGridMail.setApiKey(process.env.SENDGRID_API_KEY);

    function getOrderConfirmationEmailHtml(customerName, orderNr) {
      // HTML template for the order confirmation email
      // (omitted for brevity due to its length)
    }

    function getMessage(emailParams) {
      return {
        // Assemble the email message with recipient, sender, subject, text, and HTML body
        to: emailParams.toEmail,
        from: 'geshan@yipl.com.np',
        subject: 'We have got your order, you will receive it soon',
        text: `Hey ${emailParams.name}, we have received your order ${emailParams.orderNr}. We will ship it soon`,
        html: getOrderConfirmationEmailHtml(emailParams.name, emailParams.orderNr),
      };
    }

    async function sendOrderConfirmation(emailParams) {
      try {
        // Send the order confirmation email using SendGrid
        await sendGridMail.send(getMessage(emailParams));
        return  { message: `Order confirmation email sent successfully for orderNr: ${emailParams.orderNr}`};
      } catch (error) {
        // Handle errors and log relevant information
        const message = `Error sending order confirmation email or orderNr: ${emailParams.orderNr}`;
        console.error(message);
        console.error(error);
        if (error.response) {
          console.error(error.response.body)
        }
        return {message};
      }
    }

    module.exports = {
      sendOrderConfirmation
    }
        
    

Let's delve into the functionality of email.js:

1. Integration with SendGrid: The module begins by importing the SendGrid mail module and setting the API key using `sendGridMail.setApiKey()`.
2. Order Confirmation HTML Template: The `getOrderConfirmationEmailHtml` function holds the extensive HTML template for the order confirmation email. It dynamically incorporates the customer's name and order number.
3. Assembling the Email Message: The `getMessage` function constructs the email message with details such as recipient, sender, subject, text, and HTML body. The HTML body is generated using the previously defined template.
4. Sending the Order Confirmation Email: The `sendOrderConfirmation` function orchestrates the entire process. It calls the `send` method on the `sendGridMail` module, passing the parameters obtained from `getMessage`. Any errors are caught, logged, and an appropriate response is sent back.
5. Module Export: Finally, only the `sendOrderConfirmation` function is exposed from this module.

Once both files are correctly set up, you can launch the server with `node index.js`. Testing the order confirmation email API can be done with a cURL command:

  
    curl -i -X POST -H 'Accept: application/json' \
        -H 'Content-type: application/json' http://localhost:3000/api/email/order-confirmation \
        --data '{"name":"YourName", "orderNr": "12344", "toEmail": "yourEmail@gmail.com"}'
        
    

A successful response should display a 200 status, and you should find the confirmation email in your inbox.

Congratulations! The fundamental order confirmation email functionality is operational. The HTML template, though lengthy, can be replaced using SendGrid's Dynamic templates.

While the method described above is functional, it may have certain limitations, and that's where SuprSend can offer valuable enhancements:

1. Scalability Challenges: For scaling the nodejs email sending task, two primary options are presented. One is utilizing a queue system like RabbitMQ, employing producers and consumers to handle messages efficiently. Alternatively, a serverless FaaS (function-as-a-service) approach, using platforms like AWS Lambda or Vercel, provides a low-maintenance scaling solution. The order placement logic can asynchronously call this API, ensuring scalability with minimal resource concerns. Further exploration into scalability, costs, and potential hosting options is encouraged. The current implementation may face challenges in handling a rapidly increasing number of orders. As the order volume grows, the synchronous nature of the nodejs email sending process might lead to potential bottlenecks, affecting overall system scalability.
2. Limited Monitoring and Analytics: The existing solution may lack comprehensive monitoring and analytics capabilities, making it challenging to gather insights into email delivery performance, recipient engagement, and potential issues.
3. Maintenance Overhead: Managing and maintaining the nodejs email sending infrastructure, including handling errors and ensuring deliverability, might require ongoing effort and expertise.
4. Integration Complexity: Integrating and maintaining multiple components, such as the email template, SendGrid, and error handling, could introduce complexities and potential points of failure.
5. Cost Considerations: Depending on the email volume, the costs associated with using SendGrid and managing the infrastructure may become a concern.

For all these challenges, you can use SuprSend as a possible parent email infrastructure coupled with your product in Node.js to get started with any email provider such as Sendgrid. You can install and integrate SuprSend Node SDK to set up your product email notification infrastructure. Save yourselves from multiple vendor API integrations and email configurations for lifetime with these 4 easy steps

• Integrate Node SDK
• Create User Profile
• Send and Track Events
• Trigger Workflow from API